Saturday was a day of sledding high on Milligan's Mountain

February 23, 2014 – Sunday

-2/clear/breezy

Pentoga Road

Hmm, Sargie bought a lottery ticket that’s sitting on the end table beside me; a Mega Millions. I wonder if we won? I’ve not yet checked the numbers.

I bet we won. I just have that feeling. Just think, Sargie wouldn’t have to go back to work tomorrow, we could afford to add the other bedroom onto the house, I could purchase my backhoe, she could shop the clearance racks until she dropped, we could go somewhere next week while she’s on vacation, and who’d worry about cold weather and the cost of heating oil? I’d hire a live-in doggy sitter for Brutus and we’d burn fuel oil like it was water. Our sons, families, and friends, would become the recipients of most the winnings. Sargie and I agree, as long as we’re comfortable in a very modest manner, we’d give the rest away. Wouldn’t that be fun?

It must be spring fever. We're stuffing every vegetable known to mankind into our omelets these days.

Speaking of fun, that’s exactly what we had high atop Milligan's Mountain Sunday afternoon. After a lazy morning in which I made omelets and we took our time getting around, we arrived at the family homestead in the early afternoon.

It was so much fun. The big people were helping the babies into and out of sleds and often, rode down the large hill with a baby or two sitting on their laps. It was a bit chilly, the temperatures in the teens with a hefty wind blowing, but no one really seemed to notice or care. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

Marley making a run for the first time by herself

Later, the babies and I sat around the piano and sang kindergarten songs of days gone by. It was the most fun when the aunts and uncles, mommies and daddies, became involved, going through the hand and body motions of elementary songs. We laughed and sang and had a good time.

We later enjoyed pizza, chips, and other goodies as we sat around the kitchen table and gabbed. What a wonderful day.

Aubrey and I are heading out for round two of sledding

Sargie and I arrived home just as the sun was setting. After a quick game of fetch with Brutus, we settled down for a game of blood and guts Rummy. As usual, I lost the most blood and she handed my Rummy-playing head to me on a platter.

Brutus helping me make some decisions... until he gave me some bad advice, I started losing, and he crossed over to the other side.

I’m a bit upset with Brutus. He was on my side and helping until it became apparent Sargie was going to win. He was quite stealthy in leaving me and sneaking around to the other side of the table. His name should be Benedict Brutus.

It started with light chat

Then he started giving advice

Telling Sargie which card to play

... and suddenly, it was two against one. No wonder I lost.

It’s hard to beat Sargie in any card game; coupled with Brutus, it's impossible. Sargie may be quiet and look innocent on the outside, but under that exterior lies the heart of a card shark... or a bulldog.

I decided to pout and mourn my loss by looking at backhoes online. One of the banks has an interest-free credit card for a year. Hmm. That’s how I bought my chipper/shredder several years ago. It didn’t cost me a cent to spread the cost out over twelve months. As soon as the machine was paid in full, the credit card was cancelled. In my retirement years, I refuse to pay interest to any institution, but I don’t mind using their money as long as it is free.

Today’s Sargie’s last one off until next Saturday when she officially begins her vacation. It’s cold and windy and I doubt we’ll work in the flowerbeds or stroll hand in hand through the woods.

I’ve been somewhat lackadaisical these past four days when it comes to grading my students’ assignments. With a new batch of homework due in tomorrow, I’ll spend part of today playing catch up.

 I imagine we’ll go for a ride this afternoon and after, play another game of Rummy and do whatever it is old people do on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

That's pure grace, poise, and beauty, zooming down that hill.

Hold it! I just checked the lottery ticket. We won… sort of; five dollars. Sorry, sons, family, and friends. It appears we’re still poor. I guess I better get busy and start grading assignments, earn enough money for crusts of bread and water.

After all, a man’s work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road…